The Informal Barcelona: Reconfiguring Torre Baró

The Informal Barcelona Reconfiguring Torre Barรณ maria-christina pantazopoulos

Layout & editing: MARIA-CHRISTINA PANTAZOPOULOS

Printed & bounded by: MARIA-CHRISTINA PANTAZOPOULOS

This project was developed for the master dissertation project, within the project of The Informal Barcelona: Reconfigurring Torre Baro Proposed by: CLAUDI AGUILÓ

Proofreading: FELIX VALENTIN

This publication presents a combination of research and analysis to build up my project, with a reflection about the architectural project itself. It is an attempt on showing what the challenges and opportunities of the site are and how the proposed architecture utilizes these elements. Brought as a coherent story, this publication offers an insight into the progress, and outcome of my master dissertation project.

KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture Campus Sint-Lucas, Ghent Class of 2014-2015 www.arch.kuleuven.com www.internationalmasterofarchitecture.be

Cover image: The project’s logo produced during the thematical research The following people contributed and guided the development of this project and publication: CLUADI AGUILÓ MARC DUJARDINX Partly in collaboration with FELIX VALENTIN

All rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or specific copyright owners. Work and publication made during the course of a personal master dissertation project. ©2015 by MARIA-CHRISTINA PANTAZOPOULOS

Contact: mcpantazopoulos@gmail.com BE +32 473 11 77 65 GR +30 6947 83 80 32

The Informal Barcelona: Reconfiguring Torre Baró Framework for Master Dissertation Project in the International Master of Science in Architecture Program.

Resurrecting the Valley Reconnecting a Community

At this point I would like to take the opportunity to thank my academic promotor Claudi Aguilรณ for his guidance, inspiring lectures and references as well as the constructive criticism throughout the project, pushing us out of our comfort zones.

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The Road Not Taken TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

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Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

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And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

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I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

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Robert Frost in Mountain Interval | 1920

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Figure 001

Urban Plan of Barcelona Emphasis on formal planning and location of Torre Barรณ

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THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

Preface The design Project is undertaken in one of the World’s most famous metropolitan cities standing as examples of contemporary capitals in terms of urbanity, development and cuture. The megastructure of Barcelona however is not consistent in its outer neighbourhoods such as Torre Baro, leaving certain districts to resemble third world mountain settlements rather than well-connected neighbourhoods. Torre Baro unveils many interesting parameters both in morphological and social parameters. It is a district of Barcelona with adequate access via public transport and urban infrastructure such as highways. The relative isolation of the neighbourhood mostly lies in the major planning of the city undertaken in 1976 where the super blocks were imposed up to and not including the Collserola Mountain. As a result, informal settlements began to form illegally to accommodate fleeing number of migratory groups leading to the creation of the “Informal Barcelona”.

The primary stage of research consists of understanding the existing situation of Torre Baro and its inhabitants.

The derivative factor is the feeling of pride of the locals who identify with the uniqueness of both the topographical beauty and the settlement in itself. Is then an intervention necessary, or is it our inefficient habit as architects to forcefully propose schemes which are proven to be failed aspirations? A standing example of such an intervention is the recent investment in social housing at the bottom of Torre Baro which stays unused due to its unresponsiveness and insensitivity towards the particularity of the site and its users. Is an intervention in this district merely in regards to the improvement of Barcelona’s image, or is it a necessity for the local community of the district? The answer lies in a short visit to the site where one witnesses the poor self-constructed housing and unsatisfactory standards of living the inhabitants have to endure. Furthermore, the lack of facilities, the inexistent public realm and limited accessibility are all factors which accumulate to the alienation of Torre Baro from the rest of Barcelona.

Through this research I aim to deal with the general reconfiguration of the district through principles such as mobility and connectivity; proposing possible reprogramming of functions and the revival of the valley as a productive landscape which helps create a blossoming local economy. Next, the general ambition of the project is to appreciate the qualities of self-built construction analyzing the concept of aggregation and building evolution through time. This concept mainly refers to the cluster-like typologies found in Torre Baro which are a result of lack of urban planning, informal/illegal growth of property immediately responding to the needs of the users and their incredibly limited resources. The intervention would respond to the building habits of the settlement in a more profound manner so as to provide an improved standard of living while utilizing energy through passive systems. Another fundamental aspect one must deal with is the purely residential character of Torre Baro. As a result, spaces of social integration, possibly through productive land and the use of communal spaces such as terraces, could flourish.

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Experiential Mapping This an attempt to map a series of observations recorded during the research visit. Noticing the formal development at the bottom of the settlement and the convient link to Barcelona’s greater transportation network. Furthermore, as we make our way through the settlement the landscape becomes predominant with the slope defining the building fabric. Thresholds and communal staircases form amongst cluster typologies to accommodate the teracced housing. In a similar manner, public staircases create shortcuts within the Figure: Experiential Map settlement. Closed and gated facades guard the privacy of the homes limiting as a result public life on the Mapping created during thestreets. Finally, the aquaduct and the castle stand as the settlement’s landmarks. Torre Baró’s rural character matical research is undoubtable with nature being the protagonist and defining factor.

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A Series of Instances

Thresholds

Typologies

Public Space

Mobility

Figure: Instances

Photographs taken during research week November 2014

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Torre Barรณ | Impression Collage

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Abstract This Master Dissertation investigates the peculiarity of Torre Baró’s persisting infromal character and its relationship to “Formal” Barcelona. Through research by design, the aspect of reconnecting the settlement dominates the urban strategy aiming for the hollistic reconfiguration of the settlement. The aspect of time and proximity become key polarities in the research revealing the slope and its impact as well as Torre Baró’ dependence on surrounding settlements. The ultimate aim of the urban strategy was the instigation towards a settlement as a destination rather than a secluded neighbourhood. Through the urban reconnection, new alternative mobility systems are introduced developing intersections with potential for commercial activity. The Ressurection of the Valley from an urban void to a communal productive landscape forms the backbone of the settlement’s rejuvination. The Valley becomes an opportunity for leisure, production, commerce in related activities as well as a mediator between urban and rural Barcelona through the Valley’s role as a Gate to the Collserola Mountain.

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Destination Torre Barรณ | Ambition Collage

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Index

A| Understanding Torre Bar贸

1-12 City as DNA

Formal VS Informal Barcelona Failed Investment

B| Destination Torre Bar贸 13-54

Torre Bar贸 as a Gate Mapping

The Slope and Its Impact Connectivity

Diminishing the Slope

C| Reconfiguring Torre Bar贸 55-96 Lobe City Model Rethinking Urbanity Designing Condtions Urban Strategy Concllusion

D| In Search of Personal Principles

97-106 Hybridity of architecture & landscape Architectural Promenade

Lacaton & Vassal: A Mindset

E| The Structure of Intentions 107-176

Understanding the Site

Defining the Program The Building

F| Epilogue 177

Understanding Torre Barรณ

City as DNA

City as DNA is a collection of paintings by Chinese born contemporary artist Lu Xinjian. The artist attempts to create ‘an image of harmony’ through the abstraction of aerial images of major cities. Xinjian subtracts the essential elements or ‘genes’ of Barcelona revealing the urban system in an abstract yet recognizable manner.

Xinjian’s working process can be adopted and utilized as an investigative tool to analyze Barcelona’s main Figure 001 urban structure and the city’s overall movement. Thus, this chapter will attempt to dissect the place of Torre City DNA 2010 Barcelona Acrylic on canvas Baró as part of the Barcelona metropolis laying out the project’s contextual framework. What does formal 145 x 220 cm Barcelona consist of and what is the significance of informal settlements such as Torre Baró in retrospect?

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Barcelona

Torre Barรณ

Beginning the investigation, it is important to understand the fundamental difference between the city of Barcelona and Torre Barรณ. Even though, Torre Barรณ is a well-connected neighbourhood of Barcelona -even included in its metro network- Torre Barรณ remains a rural settlement with its own particular identity. The urban planning of the settlement as will be discussed further in the chapter, is entirely informal and contradictory to the mega block structure grid of formal Barcelona. This of course contains several implications with the Figure 002 Schemes produced by predominant being the massive difference in density and the built environment. As demonstrated in the schemes Group 5 during Thematical above it is important to recognize the identity of each case without imposing a specific design framework so Group Research as to make Torre Barรณ like the rest of Barcelona.

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Barcelona as Context ‘Barcelona is the product and consequence of Catalan culture. […] historically built as the quintessence of a strong spirit of collective identity and a cosmopolitan vocation. In this sense I consider Barcelona to be the most ambitious product of our culture. It is what most gives our culture international exposure. This explains the constant inner spirit that allows us to build and rebuild our city.’1 Following this reading, Barcelona’s proud image and the patriotism of its inhabitants comes as no surprise. It is an ever-evolving and ever changing city with vibrancy like no other.

As with every project, context is key. The framework implied when working in Barcelona both pragmatic and physical contains great differentiations to previous project approaches in Belgium. The high density, strict and preconditioned urban planning and tradition in great yet expensive developments make the metropolitan city of Barcelona a contradictory contextual foundation upon which Torre Baró formed. Experiencing the city of Barcelona for the first time following the first visit to the settlement was shocking. Extreme juxtaposition of living standards, public life and public spaces at large. It seems like the streets in themselves carry the city’s vibrancy even if Barcelona is booming of public space in all scales, from inner semi-public courtyards, narrow streets to large museum complexes, markets, the beachfront and other major public developments.

The proximity of living both mentally and physically in such a vast city entails a certain actual proximity to your neighbour, colleague or by-passer standing next to you. It is public life at the opposite extreme of what we observed in Torre Baró.

Quotation 1

Book by Ajuntament de Barcelona, ‘Barcelona in Progress’, pp 8

Figure 003 Opposite

Inner Barcelona Street Captured November 2014

Figure 004

Agbar Tower by Jean Nouvel Captured November 2014

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Mercat Encants by Fermin Vazquez Arquitectos Captured November 2014

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The fundamental difference that makes Barcelona’s urban planning recognized as ‘an authentic laboratory for urban design’ is the focus on public space as the basic point of reference for the past 25 years and during developments of all scales from small gardens, streets and public squares. Even with the current economic state, Barcelona is still developing major urban zones and particularly the areas by the rivers located on the two edges of the city, the Diagonal and the Sagrera development. As shown in the map above, these projects Quotation 2 vary vastly. With the completion of these developments the city will have reached a complete regeneration.

Book by Ajuntament de However, these projects only deal with formal Barcelona. As we witnessed during our research week, this Barcelona, ‘Barcelona in Progress’, pp 22 metropolitan image of Barcelona only spreads until the Collserola Mountail. Beyond that begins what one might call The Informal Barcelona.

Figure 006

Image demonstarting relative position of Torre Baró and the city’s major development areas

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This aerial image of Barcelona clearly depicts the urban planning of the city. The urban megablocks and strict Figure 007 grid is strongly apparent in the city’s centre but as it spreads backwards towards the Collserola Mountain we Aerial Photograph source: notice the breakdown of the formal urbanity. http://www.cgarchitect.com

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Figure 008

Satellite Image of Torre Barรณ

Torre Baró formed as a result of sudden growth due to migratory waves during the 1950s. As a result of the uncontrollable growth rate, informal, illegal cabins and self-constructed houses were being built on municipal land or former agricultural zones. The primary settlements developed in the 1930s and flourished until the Figure 009 Image of a dwelling, notice 1970s. It took 10 years for the settlement’s urbanization with the provision of minimal electricity and street the informal use of material paving. Even today, the dwellings located at the highest points of the sloping landscape lack basic provisions Captured: November 2014 such as sewage, running water and electricity.

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The Informal Barcelona: Torre Baró

A recent governemnt investment in social housing in an attempt to improve living standards stands unused with empty spaces where the architects envisioned commercial units and void public spaces of good urban standards. What has then be the problem? Why hasn’t this adequate investment reformed the settlement? Why did the inhabitant’s not leave the mountain to live in these modern apartment blocks?

Many answers arise but the main answer lies in the projects insensitivity, or ingnorant attitude towards the living culture of the settlement. However poor the living conditions, the people of Torre Baró are proud locals with a strong feeling of ownership. The project has thus proved to be a white elephant. Although it may be a good architectural project, ignoring the cultural patterns and living traditions of the settlement has lead to Figure 010 Image from the bottom of the a project that helps no one and costs the government unecessary public debt. The reconfiguration of Torre hill of the new development Baró should be a sensitive result of considerate research on both the tangible and intangible qualities of he Captured November 2014 settlement.

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Destination Torre Barรณ

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Torre Baró as a potential gate The Collserola in essence is a barrier confining the city; forming an edge against the sea coast. However, it provides a form of escape. It is a place of leisure, an opportunity for the city inhabitants to reconnect to nature without the discomfort of having to travel long distances to enjoy it. The Collserola is currently accessible through several means of public transportation including two locations of teleferic. The uniqueness of this transportation mean lies in its strategic cohesion to the overall metro planning of the city, forming a comfortable aerial tramway.

During our research we came across an urban proposal for the city of Barcelona to improve its connections to the Collserola Mountain and the natural reserve through 16 proposed gateways.[10 strategic designs Barcelona] Interestingly, the Torre Baro quarter has been included as one of these gates. This admittedly comes as no surprise following our mobility research since Torre Baro, despite the poor state of self-built construction and the rural feeling it encompasses, remains a very well connected neighbourhood of vibrant Barcelona.

Thus, if the general ambition is to improve connections with the Collserola, can the Collserola become an extension of the green corridors within the city’s urban fabric? Can Torre Baro be reconfigured through this attempt to reconnect nature to the urban lifestyle?

It is important to retain the impact of interventions such as the “10 strategic design projects for Barcelona”.

One should bear in mind that proposals as such are foremost converging around the benefits or interests of the residents of central Barcelona and not the inhabitants of the Torre Baro settlement. Thus, when we discuss about gates to Collserola a point of investigation should be the means with which that will be achieved. If Torre Figure 011 Baro becomes a corridor, visitors should have the opportunity to socially bond with the settlement and its Part of Mobility Research locality rather than benefit from a detached infrastructure which will ignore the fabric of the quarter, ignoring its The Barriers of Barcelona existence and simply connecting the bottom of Torre Baro to the beginning of Collserola.

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Mapping Mapping space is a sensitive process that embodies a large amount of interpretation, it is thus important to take a minute to enrich our data mining techniques. As revealed during an enlightening lecture by Anushka Kuntz, mapping is the ‘production of urban and domestic space and ways of visualizing findings’. Therefore, initially one must identify the object of investigation and the parameters which influence or support it. Through mapping examples both architectural and other we are forced to the realization, that more often than not, maps entail a great amount of established factors which rely on perception and thus can be re-interpreted. Marcel Broudthaers produces a new version of the atlas in 1975 where all countries are adapted to the same size, ignoring political borders. The maps are reduced to the outline of their geographical shape and illustrated in Figure 012 the form of a book. This innovative way of representing the conventional atlas allows for the comparison of Atlas 1975 countries neglecting sizeable or political differentiation, providing a new tool or view upon the world as we Marcel Broudthaers know it.

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In the Little Prince we come across another example which triggers interpretation. The image of the snake swallowing an elephant which is so obvious to the protagonist, is read by adults as a hat. This illustration highlights the significance of interpretation in mapping, unveiling aspects that are not regularly seen or appreciated.

Figure 013 Furthermore, the lecture addresses the intimacy implied in the mapping of space and time. This intimacy may The Hotel, Room 24, 1983 be the occupation of space on various scales, from a public square to a hotel room as is the case with artist Sophie Calle Sophie Calle who photographs hotel rooms in an attempt to depict temporal use and adaptation of space. Such Figure 014 a process is closely related to mapping and if not directly, it may be used as a tool for us to abstract certain The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-ExupĂŠry elements during our investigation, helping us to form a framework or a better understanding of Torre BarĂł.

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The Manhattan Transcripts Following the material brought to our attention during Kuntz’s lecture, it seems unavoidable to seek for further research techniques on how to transfer findings and observations to a map. Initially, one must fully comprehend what a map is or can be. The word map is defined as a ‘diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features’ , which is the conventional understanding of a map’s function. However, it can also be defined as a ‘diagram or collection of data showing the spatial arrangement or distribution of something over an area’, where the map can contain strategized information of a specific aspect of an area and finally it can ‘represent (an area) on a map’. How can a map represent an area? If we are for instance to study the theme of mobility, one may map the existing transportation system but that will not suffice in mapping the human Figure 015 movement within the settlement since not everyone uses collective transport.

The Manhattan Transcripts 1976-1981 Bernard Tschumi

The Manhattan Transcripts were developed in the 1970s and vary to most typical architectural output since they lie between imagination and realistic proposal. Their ambition is to ‘transcribe things normally removed from architectural representation, namely the complex relationship between spaces and their use, between Oxford Dictionaries: www.oxforddictionaries.com/ the set and the script, between “type” and “program”, between objects and events’. The transcripts follow a definition/english/map certain process. Firstly, photographs reveal events that are occurring followed by plans and sections which accessed on 07/04/2015 help create a diagrammatic allocation of spaces, revealing movement and user circulation. The methodology Bernard Tschumi: of Bernard Tschumi architects can be adopted and adapted to our investigation. Primarily, understanding the http://www.tschumi.com/ context of working in a settlement with a dominating landscape and principal slopes provides the set or main projects/18/ parameter which influences user circulation. Understanding Torre Baró both in plan and sections will offer accessed on 03/04/2015 insight of the settlement’s mobility as well as the impact of the slope.

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Figure 016

Europe Transformed by the TGV network Euralille, Lille, France phase 1994 | OMA

Inspired by the tranformation of the European map as a response to the impact of the TGV network, we tranform the existing map of Torre Barรณ in an attempt to represent the perception of time and the significance of the slope as a disconnector.

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The Slope and its Impact

TIME MOBILITY

Torre Barรณ: level difference 170 - 204 m From Castel Torre Barรณ - Metro: av. distance: 1.27 km av. time: 21 minutes Cross Section Path: av. distance: 1.8 km av time: 20 minutes

TORRE BARร DISTORTED TIME - SLOPE - EFFORT

From Avinguda dels Rasos de Peguera to Carrer de Llerona actual distance: 1.9 km actual time: 30 minutes From Metro Valbona|T-Barรณ to Castel T-Barรณ actual distance: 1.75 km actual time: 25-28 minutes

Schemes

Produced during group investigation

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A flat Torre Baró: level difference 0-10m

Torre Baró: level difference 170 - 204 m

From Castel Torre Baró - Metro: distance: 1.2 km time: 14 minutes

From Castel Torre Baró - Metro: av. distance: 1.27 km av. time: 21 minutes

Cross Section path: distance: 0.84 km time: 10.8 minutes

Cross Section Path: av. distance: 1.8 km av time: 20 minutes

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Distorted Torre Baró: BASE Level Difference 170 - 204

From Metro Valbona T-Baró

actual distance: 1.75 km actual time: 25 - 28 minute

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Mapping Perception: Slope, Time and Effort

E TO THE TOP PATH 4m

Distorted Torre Barรณ: CROSS-SECTION PATH Level Difference 138 m

รณ to Castel To-Barรณ

From Avinguda dels Rasos de Peguera to Carrer de Llerona actual distance: 1.9 km actual time: 30 minutes

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Synthesis Time Map: I based on how much time it takes to go from Base to the Top and a cross section route.

From Metro Valbona|T-Barรณ to Castel T-Barรณ actual distance: 1.75 km actual time: 25-28 minutes

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Leisure Connectivity The map investigates the relative connectivity of Torre BarĂł with global Barcelona investigating mobility based on various leisurely activities which may interest the locals of the settlement.

The activities considered include nature escapes showing the formal cycling routes on the Collserola Mountain and the El Besos River as well as the new La Sagrera Development which will incorporate a 40 hectare park within its premises. Furthermore, we depict the connection to commercial centers showing malls but mostly focusing on the city’s development of the Diagonal as a commercial attraction. Commuting from Torre Baró, implies that once the Diagonal is developed there will not be a need to travel further down the city and it is thus considered a commercial frontage of central Barcelona. Lastly, the map portrays all general leisurely attraction within Global Barcelona including but not limited Figure 017 to museums, parks, football centers and the Produced during group beachfront. Through this part of the investigation investigation we understand the efficient connection of the Nature and Cycling settlement to the entirety of the city, as well as its importance in the green loop linking the beach, the Commercial river valley and the Collserola Mountain. The main Leisure Attractions focus on mobility improvement should focus on the re-connection of the settlement in itself.

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Torre Barรณ presents a strong dependence and interrelation with the neighbouring quarters. As shown in the previous page as well as in the diagram above, the settlement exists amidst a natural gate or loop forming a network of facilities and mobility with the immediate urban neighbourhoods.

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Mapping Existing Networks Highway

Secondary Street Bicycle Route Car Accessible Street Bus Route Metro Station

This map demonstrates objective data collected during the mobility research. showing car accessible streets, cycling paths ans bus routes. Noticeably, it is important to recognize the settlement’s disconnection within its premises, as well as its dependence on surrounding neighbourhoods. The bus routes form two discontinuous routes which are a result of the hightened steepness of the landscape. Metro is an efficient connection to the center of the city, however, the bus system is not as frequent as the locals would have hoped making mobility within the settlement inconvenient. The limited connectivity of Torre Baró is forcing the locality to be car defined which consequently weakens the indigenous economy.

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Valbona | Torre Barรณ Metro Station

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Existing Street Infrastructure

Car presense defining the public realm

Torre Baró, Av. d’Escolapi Càncer

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Proximity Exposing Torre Baró’s dependence on cars revealed a further reliance of the settlement in terms of facilities. The map portrays the facilities mostly located around the metro area where the landscape is flat. Most facilities are concentrated in the adjacent quarter of Ciudad Meridiana which, although in proximity, is inconvenient due to the lack of horizontal connections within the landscape thus encouraging the use of cars.

What is then the concept of connection, if not proximity to-?

Proximity to Barcelona’s center, proximity to the supermarket or to a friend’s house? Proximity is defined as ‘the nearness in space, time, or relationship’ . Therefore, accepting the inevitable interrelation between imminence to space and the time it takes to commute as the primary layer of the definition, we notice another implication of the term proximity related to Oxford Dictionaries: one’s feeling or perception. The social underlay of the term www.oxforddictionaries.com/ has to do with the impact of Torre Baró’s seclusion, isolating definition/english/proximity the locals from major facilities such as hospitals. Proximity accessed on 10/04/2015 is about the feeling of relief accumulated with the discussed Photographs nearness. Thus, improving connectivity increases proximity Taken during research week both physically and mentally reestablishing, as a result, the November 2014 settlement’s social behavior.

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Situation if dwelling the bottom of the settlement

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Proximity

Situation if dwelling the top of the settlement Mapping current circulation through the settlement for an everyday activity such as grocery shopping. The significance of the above schemes lie in the completely inconvenient street structure lacking horizontal connections directly through the mountain, and thus forcing locals to move vertically up and down the settlement enduring the slope’s massive impact or using cars.

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Diminishing the Slope Formal & Informal Connectivity In an attempt to understand Torre Baro’s mobility it is essential to dissect the street layers present on site. We divide the layers of the streets into three categories. The primary streets are defined as those accessible by public transportation, mapping the official bus routes of the settlement. The secondary streets are classified as those accessible by cars. Such streets are largely patent within the settlement emphasizing the dependence of Torre Baró on car mobility due to the segregation of facilities and the persisting impact of the topography.

Lastly, following an in-depth analysis of the cartography maps, photographs and aerial images of Torre Baró we have concluded on a third, underlying layer of connectivity which is characterized by the settlement’s informality. The tertiary connections are informal paths formed by the locality endeavouring to directly serve their needs. It consists of an efficient network often creating shortcuts around public transportation stops.

The tertiary connections are an intelligent layer which greatly eases the settlement’s detachment, where and when the landscape allows accessibility. The acceptance and appreciation of these mobility layers will form a sensitive and capable re-connection of Torre Baró.

There seems to be a persevering polarity between formal and informal within the settlement. It is found in both the build and the void, but also in Torre Baró’s connectivity. It is important to respect the unique character of the place, enhancing its diverse living conditions and the relationship the locals form with the landscape.

Forcing an urban framework upon the rural character of the settlement will only achieve the alienation of the local living tradition. Thus, the first stepping stone of an urban strategy with an aim to improve the living Figure 018 standards is to support the tertiary connections while also improving the settlement’s formal connectivity of De-layering the streets public transportation.

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Formal Mobility: Primary & Secondary Streets

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Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Considering the informal network of Tertiary Streets and their relationship to public transportation

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Activating the Aqueducts

An aquaduct is a Roman bridge originally used to guide water over an obstruction, and in the case of Torre Bar贸, over the valley. Today, there exist five aqueducts in Torre Bar贸 and its vicinity entirely unutilized standing as pathetic monuments. As shown previously, we have concluded that the settlement lacks horizontal conncections thus making Torre Bar贸 an inaccessible and uninviting neighbourhood. Through the utilization of the monumental aquaducts, we decrease the distance travelled by nearly 50%, creating an efficient network of shortcuts to cross through the slope. Connectivity is a fundamental layer of the urban reconfiguration since a more radial Torre Bar贸 with a diminished or insignificant slope may attract future users to the settlement.

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Figure 020

Implementing a Teleferic

A common solution to connect a challenging topography in Spain is the implementation of a teleferic or funicular. Such a strategy is an extreme action which would support the city’s aim to promote Torre Baró as a gate to the Collserola Mountain, but, will entirely ignore the needs for re-connection within the settlement. Such a proposal is not a primary solution due to its price, as well as the fact that a more intimate network is needed which will promote the interaction between locals and visitors.

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Alternative Means of Public Transportation

Figure 021

Implementing an Electric Bicycle System

The diagram above attempts to plan an electric bicycle system running parallel to the existing transportation system. The main privilege of the electric bicycle network is the achievement of diminishing the slope, while promoting mobility intersections by placing electric docks and stations in relation to the bus system. The gaps of the communal transport system and secluded areas are now linked by adding this additional system of mobility in Torre Barรณ.

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Cost Comparison

Regarding a system’s lifecycle as 15 years (as is the case for escalators), we create a cost scenario which considers system maintenance for the entirety of the lifespan. This gives us the opportunity to understand a mobility system’s costs. It is evident that the most financially efficient system if that of the electric bicycle network. Furthermore, the particular system promotes social interaction and cohesion linking the locals with potential visitors of Torre Baró whilst cancelling the impact of the predominant slopes. The escalators and teleferic although a common solution in Spain, prove to be too expensive and in comparison to the electric bicycle system it is understandable that in terms of sustainability they are completely inadequate using too many resources to achieve a lesser impact.

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Intersections as Triggers This scheme attempts to describe the potential of an improved mobiltiy layer in the urban reconfiguration of Torre Barรณ. Primarily, the scheme recognizes the informal tertiary connections existing in the settlement. Furthermore, the now unutilized monumental aqueducts are activated forming efficient horizontal links between Torre Barรณ in itself, as well as to its surrounding neighbourhoods. Lastly, the settlement resolves the issue of the slope as a disconnector through the implementation of an electric bicycle system located in proximity to the existing public transportation system.

The improved mobility of Torre Barรณ promotes the function of the settlement as a gate to the Collserola activating the valley as a result. With the valley becoming a productive landscape and leisurely attraction, related activies can blossom at points of mobility Figure 022 intersection where the local economy Implementing an Electric can instigate and the food may function Bicycle System as an incubator.

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TIME MOBILITY

Torre Barรณ: level difference 170 - 204 m From Castel Torre Barรณ - Metro: av. distance: 1.27 km av. time: 21 minutes Cross Section Path: av. distance: 1.8 km av time: 20 minutes

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TORRE BARร DISTORTED TIME - SLOPE - EFFORT

From Avinguda dels Rasos de Peguera to Carrer de Llerona actual distance: 1.9 km actual time: 30 minutes From Metro Valbona|T-Barรณ to Castel T-Barรณ actual distance: 1.75 km actual time: 25-28 minutes

THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

The Slope and its Impact | DIMINISHED

Cross-section via aquaducts and electric bike network From Avinguda dels Rasos de Peguera to Carrer de Llerona distance along the new aqueduct connections: 1.6 km actual time: 9-10 minutes

Torre Barรณ TRANSFORMED Improving Public Transportation and Mobility within Torre Barรณ.

The major two axes that define site mobility, from the bottom to the top and from a cross-sectional path, will suddenly be reduced, in terms of time and effort. It will give the feeling of what a flat Torre Barรณ settlement will actually feel , more condensed, more accessible and more radial.

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Reconfiguring Torre Barรณ

THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

‘Basically, the challenges of contemporary society seem to relate to the interpretation and transformation of the extant. The contemporary city is an already constituted megastructure. Thus, it must always be a question of modifying it, of optimizing it rather than making it artificial. Today, only relationships count, the different kinds of rapport between, in and with things. It is on this that we wish to work. We think that what exists can act as a powerful support to the imaginary.

Lacaton & Vassal Cities have accumulated considerable matter and are almost always in the process of modifying situations Structural freedom, related to prior economic factors and already occupied territories. Making do with the economy of the location A precondition for the miracle is akin to our vision of contemporary urban production.’

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The reconfiguration of Torre Baró is a combination of strategies with an ultimate aim to upgrade the living conditions in the settlement. The urban strategy proposes not only the reconfiguration of Torre Baró but promotes the settlement as a destination.

Re-connection | Diminishing the Slope The primary intervention revolves around the reconnection of Torre Baró through the induction of an electric bicycle network, diminishing the impact of the slope. In combination with the recognition of existing informal paths as an efficient mobility network, the strategy aims to transform Torre Baró to an accessible and vibrant rural neighbourhood. Furthermore, the mobility intersections become commercial triggers in strategic locations in the settlement which may introduce a functional mix, thus limiting Torre Baró’s dependence on surrounding neighbourhoods.

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THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

Urban Strategy

Re-Activation | Urban Voids as part of a Green Gradient The valley becomes a productive landscape and an important fragment of Barcelona’s green loop improving the city’s access to the Collserola Mountain. Thus, the now underused valley becomes a communal urban farm which compensates the green voids absorbed in the buildable zones. Such a strategy proposes social cohesion, a source of income and food production as well as the potential for related facilities to flourish.

Re-thinking Urbanity | Controlled Densification Considering the lobe city model, the strategy endeavors to densify the built areas whilst maintaining and refining areas of green. This methodology achieves a denser urban fabric, with green lobes of low dynamic activities existing deep within the settlement, emphasizing Torre Baró’s rural identity. The densification follows a building framework with new urbanistic rules which intend to improve building standards and energy efficiency while introducing a functional diversity. All conditions are adapted to the scale of the settlement proposing an equaldensification in all buildable zones with commercial activity blossoming at a small scale and to the users’ demands.

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The Lobe City Model | Dense Urbaniny with Green Buffer Zones A lobe city aims to combine densely built up city-lobes separated by blue-green fingers. These green-blue fingers may host varying low dynamic functions such as city farms and parks. Such an eco-polis is based on 3 main pillars: firstly, management of flows such as decreased flow of energy and water both in and out aiming to design responsibly, secondly, management of areas to create a living city rather than moving back to primitive living conditions, and finally, management of actors aiming for people participation to secure safety and success of public and semi-public spaces by getting people to care for their living space and surroundings.

The city lobe model has a strong focus on sustainable living. In the case study of Culemborg, we witness a focus on functional and social mix as well as urban farming based around a framework of efficient mobility and energy. The theoretical reference of a lobe model achieves the coexistence of urban planning and biodiversity, informing each other. As an aspiring architect it is important to realize that high densities can be achieved whilst maintaining high living quality using planning tools to integrate public-private gradients realizing socially and ecologically sensitive densification.

Figure 023

Green Gradient Scheme borrowed from the lectures of Eric Rombaut

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The promotion of green lobes will allow for the preservation of Torre Baró’s rural identity whilst achieving higher densitities.

Understanding management flows and each city’s approach to energy, water, traffic etc was a beneficial eyeopener that allowed us to understand that theory can become reality in an efficient and attractive manner.

THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

Re-activation: Urban Voids as Part of a Green Gradient

Understanding the three pillars of an eco-polis we perceive the importance of each pillar truly supporting the greater idea of sustainable building. A successful eco-quarter requires participation to achieve thriving and cared-for spaces, providing high quality living with social diversity and biodiversity. The above concepts can be utilized to tackle the real socio-ecological difficulties of rural areas in general, and Torre Barรณ in particular.

The realization that an architect can find innovative solutions to integrate ecology and building, finally gives me a full understanding of the term sustainable building.

Natura 2000l | Larger Scale Green Zoning Considering the Natura 2000 European nature and biodiversity policy we are able to understand the basic notion of the green gradient on the larger scale of the lobe rather than of the communal green courtyards.

In order to preserve areas of great natural interest the policy establishes a gradient of zones where Zone A consists of protected natural reserves and forbids any leisurely or other activity.

This zone forms the green core. Surrounding the core the policy introduces a buffer zone from the built environment or large scale agriculture which is labeled Zone B. In this zone, the policy promotes low-dynamic 024 activities both commercial and leisurely. Activities related to the promotion of rural living such as bio urban Figure Conceptual Scheme farming and related activities such as bed and breakfast can flourish. Zone B primarily functions as a protective depicting the adapration of area surrounding the natural reserve but also allows farmers and other actors involved to initiate a new source the Natura 2000 theory of income.

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Figure 025

Culemborg NL May 2014 Photos taken during field trip

Culemborg eco quarter is a settlement based on the lobe-city model located in the centre of the Netherlands. It attempts to abide by the main principles of such a model through a smart densification technique through a well thought public-private gradient in the green areas. In the following section we shall study several aspects of this eco quarter.

Initially, looking at the ENERGY SYSTEM we come across the energy plant supplying the entirety of the settlement.

The energy power plant was formerly used as a water extraction unit and is, to this day, used for extracting ground water for drinking purposes. This energy plant is based on low temperature extracted ground water which contains energy. The power plant extracts this contained energy out of the water, utilizing it to heat up a low temperature district heating system. Hot water is then distributed to every house in this quarter providing consumers through the well-insulated piping system of the district heating network. The smartness of the system lies in the ability for each individual house to take the heat out of the water using heat exchangers, after which the cool water returns back to the plant to be reheated once again.

WATER is of great value in an eco-quarter. In Culemborg, the sewage system is separated from rainwater collection points. This is done for two reasons, firstly, in an attempt to assure maximum utilization of clean rainwater; aiming for retention and infiltration of clear rainwater within the city quarter. Secondly, by separating the systems, capacity problems are avoided since in periods of heavy rainfall there would have been a risk of polluted water to overflow upstream. Thus, rainwater is collected on roofs and used to a maximum inside the house or building. Surplus water is isolated from the sewage and supplies wadis and infiltration ponds which only contain clean rainwater. As a result, such water collecting locations become hosts to a variety of leisurely activities while supporting biodiversity. Maximum infiltration is accounted for through minimal paving. Collected rainwater stays on site in the provided infiltration ponds. These play a major role in cooling down temperatures in the summer.

On the other hand, polluted water is transported in an isolated sewage system and divides to two parts. One part of it is transported to a sewage treatment plant, while another par is purified through a marsh plant purification system. Within this system, the mechanical step of sieving and settling coarse material is carried out by the substrate, the sand. The biological treatment, assuming use of biodegradable products by inhabitants, is carried out by the microorganisms and the bacteria which decompose the different waste in the route system. Lastly, the tertiary treatment of removing the inorganic salts such as nitrates and phosphates is carried out by the marsh plants themselves since they use nutrients to grow. The only maintenance needed is mowing of the vegetation in October, the waste of which is decomposed and utilized at the farm. Such a purification system appears to be a vegetation zone not suggesting its purpose in any way.

To support and trigger a rich BIODIVERSITY, it is important to have a smooth gradient from wet to dry. The significance of gentle gradients within the changing landscape is that they enrich biodiversity but at the same time achieve children’s safety. This pattern will form gentle slopes allowing for natural succession to instigate.

The landscape is planned ahead through management since time dominates space and processes dominate patterns. Management, as a result, is the cause and landscape is the consequence. This type of smart management accounts for an attractive place not solely for people but at the same time hosting varying species of plants and animals.

Furthermore, it is important to discuss the municipality owned CITY FARM which aims at reconnecting inhabitants with organic farming and food production. This farm is of great importance for multiple reasons. Firstly, it produces food for the eco quarter and the rest of the city creating links between the two. This city farm is connected with other eco quarters as well as with surrounding schools. Secondly, it provides social aid. Hospitals often use this farm to recycle people back into society by involving them in the process of food production and other sensible and useful work. Furthermore, schools often use this farm during ecology and biology classes in an attempt to link theory with practise. Aiming to keep food production close to consumers, the farm accommodates a shop and an educational workshop for children up to secondary school. The farm also benefits the greater city since people outside of this eco quarter can support the farm by becoming co-owners and gain from fresh fruit and vegetable on a weekly basis.

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Culemborg PUBLIC TRANSPORT is yet another driving force in an eco quarter such as Culemborg. While visiting the settlement we noticed the limited or no car use within the living areas. There is no individual parking or garage even though all houses can be accessed by car or emergency vehicles through narrow streets.

Parking, however, in these narrow streets is forbidden. Clusters of parking are provided for each cluster of housing within walking distance. These actions result in very low car danger and noise pollution. It is evident that even though car access is not forbidden, car use within the premises is rare. Public services such as collecting waste are located on the main roads since it is unnecessary to visit every house. Moreover, public transportation is always linked to the railway station making commuting easy and efficient. The train station has connections to Utrecht, a university city where a lot of people work or go for leisure, every 15 minutes in both directions calling at each village. A transportation link of this sort assists in seducing people and attracts a great functional mix near the station.

A main challenge in a lobe model settlement is the ability to raise DENSITY LEVELS surpassing those of a regular allotment whilst keeping green zones and quality of living high. The density of this quarter had to be high enough to achieve affordable district heating, public services and transportation network. There are two solutions to achieve an increased density whilst keeping the green areas, firstly, building groups and secondly, a public gradient. Building groups allow for shared facilities and services. An example we came across in the Culemborg eco quarter was a collective apartment block for elderly people with privately owned apartments.

The building incorporated a co-owned part of the block, which accommodates communal activities such as a bar, bicycle parking and sleeping rooms for visitors and grand-children. Moreover, the public gradient is achieved by introducing semi private co-owned gardens. We came across private gardens in close proximity to the infiltration ponds contrasted by semi-private semi-public gardens in the central cluster of the buildings.

Varying garden layouts and designs prompt spatial variation and form large gardens amidst high density. The issue of maintenance is approached differently according to each building group. Numerous clusters choose to maintain the garden themselves with funding from the municipality while others utilize public servants of green departments. Through opening these semi-private semi-public gardens to the public, the co-owners of these gardens convince the municipality to return part of their taxes for maintenance of the spaces. Cooperation and understanding is needed for such a system to succeed and the usual promoters are the children.

Choice and use of BUILDING MATERIALS is also a matter of great importance in this eco quarter. The relation of building materials, ecosystems and consideration of human health are determining factors. It is intended to use renewable and biodegradable materials as the primary choice and as much as possible. Such materials include timber and paint based on natural products. When designing for this eco quarter, architects were not told how to act but were given a set of standards that had to be met. These standards include set values for: energy per station, water neutrality, carbon neutrality etc. A particular example which is a solution to these set standards is the glass house which provides an improved environment in spring and autumn with nicer temperatures where even the Mediterranean olive tree can survive. The glass house opens automatically when temperatures are too high. During our visit we came across a variety of styles, types and income oriented buildings. Uniformity would prove to be a huge disadvantage since the eco quarter aims at the participation and involvement of inhabitants. It is important for people to identify with their home and its surroundings.

Consistent typology may be a good thing for energy, but the feeling of ownership adds value to social control and success of public and semi public spaces.

Culemborg Analysis

Research completed June 14 during Course of Ecological Sustainabilty

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Image 026

Existing example of productive courtyars found in Torre Barรณ

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THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

Concept Evaluation

In essence, the Lobe City Model, Natura 2000 and Culemborg case study help us find the tools necessary to re-activate the urban voids frequently present in Torre Baró as negative space, or unitilized plots of land. These voids form the fundamental element of the settlement’s public realm, yet they stand unatteded and ignored.

The re-activation begins with the formation of buildable areas carefully planned according to the existing urban fabric. The aim is to densify these newly defined buildable areas. As a result, a network of green zones is formulated in interaction with these buildable areas also creating new connections within the settlement.

The main ambition of the green lobes will be to create zones. Zone A will be defined as the Collserola Natural reserve where no intervention can take place. Zone B is formed predominantly by the green buffering the natural reserve such as the valley. Within this zone, the valley becomes a communal productive landscape where low dynamic activities can happen promoting public life. Furthermore, the green lobes will work tightly with the buildable zones so as to achieve penetration of the landscape through the urban fabric, much like the Figure 027 green fingers concept. These green fingers will function through an accumulation of semi-public courtyards Conceptual Scheme and green within and around the buildable area through the induction of built to open conditions. This zone will depicting the adaptation of endeavour for the utilization and re-activation of voids which are allocated to remain green and the creation of the theoretical framework intimate public conditions.

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Ressurecting the Valley

Figure 028

Conceptual Collage depicting the transformation of the valley into a productive and leisurely landscape.

Furthermore, it implies the connection of Torre Barรณ as a gate the Collserola Mountain.

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Ressurecting the Valley

“I Can Change the World with My Two Hands - A Neghbourhood Miracle” Quotation 1

Francesca Miazzo, We Own The City, Published by: Trancity Valiz, Citiesthemagazine.com and the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, Netherlands, 2013, pp 35

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A large part of the neighbourhood rejuvenation strategy focuses on the promotion of public life, introducing a functional mix to the now predominantly residential character of the settlement. This is achieved through two main objectives. Primarily, the transformation of the valley into a productive landscape becomes a tool for the cultivation of affordable food within the urban territory of Torre Baró. Urban Agriculture can provide a source of goods as well as a source of income in related activities. Assuming the entire development of the valley through an agreement with the local authorities can achieve great impact with no additional burden to public debt. Furthermore, urban community gardens or in this case communal production landscapes are thought as ‘sustainable places for education and recreation’1, particularly in times of financial crisis.

Activating the valley also has a second objective in terms of Torre Baró’s role as a Gate. The implications of the resurrection in terms of both social and cultural impact is based upon respecting the local habits and cultural patterns and promoting an improved standard of living. Public life and functional mix will improve the quality of life by reducing the settlement’s dependence on surrounding quarters as well as through income and employment potential. The Valley becomes the center of the settlement both in terms of facilities as well as leisure and social cohesion.

THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

The resurrection of the valley into a productive, public landscape can utilize unwanted materials and products Quotation 1 Francesca Miazzo, We Own The City, and give life to void, redundant land. This changeover of the void landscape is a state of transition for the Published by: Trancity Valiz, Citiestand the Faculty of community itself since the local inhabitant is transformed from ‘consumer to creator’1. Essentially, the largest hemagazine.com Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, Netherlands, 2013, pp 35 part of the valley transformation is constructed through ownership distribution from municipal land to areas of private interest. However, the totality of the permission to cultivate parts of the landscape acts as a tool for Quotation 2 Francesca Miazzo, We Own The City, the –essentially free- resurrection of the valley reducing the ‘leverage of governments to invest in the city’2.

Published by: Trancity Valiz, Citiesthemagazine.com and the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, Netherlands, 2013, pp 37

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Urbanistic Map: Existing Situation

Figure 029

Urbanistic Map based on the municipality’s existing map and their plot definition

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After considering the municipality’s existing planning for the area and adapting the green gradient lobe penetration theory and esteblishing the buildable areas a new urbanistic map is formed.

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Urbanistic Map: Proposed Zoning

However, in order to achieve the sustainable densification that was discussed under the lobe city theorum Figure 030 it necessary to establish some building conditions under which the inhabitants of Torre Barรณ can act. The Urbanistic Map based on the methodology aimed for is not to restrict the design process but rather to create conditions under which creative proposed Green Gradient and Mobility re-connection solutions can be achieved but now assuring an improved living standard both in terms of neighbourhood liveability as well as in the scale of a dwelling. To formulate such a building grammar we are inspired by the work of Christian de Portzamparc and Frei Otto.

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The Open Block concept as intended by Christian de Portzamparc in the 80s revolves around the vision for luminous and diversified open streets. His urban framework is based on a set of flexible rules that allow the architect to design creatively resulting with varying interesting constructions. Buildings within the block are independent and set apart allowing for a street to form inside the internal part of the block where gardens are planted. These inner courtyards are open to the street and almost function as its extension. All sides of the buildings benefit from solar access and natural ventilation while the wide functional mix, volumes and materials implemented along the street support and embrace urban life making the streets more accessible. Projects of Figure 031 the Atelier Christian de Portzamparc such as the Massena Quarter in Paris provide excellent examples of the Left Image realization of Portzamparc’s vision.

Christian de Portzamparc What works as a point of reference in the above concept is mostly the methodology. The aspect we extract Sketches for The Open Block from Christian de Portzamparc’s theory is that an architect can provide an urban framework within which development can occur in various manners. In conclusion, for the re-configuration of Torre Baró we can initially Figure 032 Right Image provide flexible urbanistic rules which can be followed but within that framework each individual can act as Christian de Portzamparc they please providing great variety in the urban fabric and giving a certain vibrancy and uniqueness to the fabric Maassena Quarter, Paris of the settlement.

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Re-thinking Urbanity: Controlled Densification

In a similar mindset, we consider Frei Otto’s ecological housing project in Berlin where the architect was hoping to design affordable housing with the ideal combination of built and nature. Frei Otto treated the design in a similar framework as Christian de Portzamparc but building an infrastructure consisting of platforms and staircases as the provided conditions and allowing each house owner to deal with their platform in their own way. In essence he designed a concrete megastructure of massive platforms of various heights which function as new ground upon which inhabitants can build their house.The result is a highly varying building combining the architecture of several styles in a unique and spontaneous way. Through his flexible building condition, the architect embraced and promoted a patchwork like quality to the building.

Such an approach is of great interest since if adapted to Torre Baró its may propose fixed conditions around which individuals can act to fit their needs creating a feeling of ownership, pride and a wide variety of spaces Figure 033 and qualities in the built environment. Furthermore, such a condition will greatly enhance the self-constuction Otto Frei identity of the settlement. Of course, for such a theoretical conception to be applied successfully to Torre Baró Ökohaus, Berlin, 1980s we must appreciate its local building tradition and the persistence of the topogrpahy.

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Re-establish Design Conditions

In today’s Central Europe, nearly half of all the energy consumption is used for heating, cooling and lighting buildings. Thus solar architecture and building could play a huge part towards sustainable development. In a context such as that of Torre Baró, the population can be characterized as “energy poor”. In many cases they cannot finance the modern world’s enrgy demand and thus use more essential, passive systems based on vernacular architecture. However, with certain guidelines the living conditions can improve vastly.

The general focus of solar architecture usually revolves around avoiding heat loss, utilizing solar energy to heat building in the winter and to heat domestic water. However, it is important to not neglect the Mediterranean climate of Torre Baró and the fact that roughly three times the amount of energy is required to cool a room by one degree than heat the same space by one degree. The building must function as a result of a holistic energy concept and not simply acquire high tech “sustainable accessories” such as collectors, photovoltaic panels etc. In a context such as of the particular settlement where there is no budget and no public funding, it is important for the building in itself to simply yet efficiently perform without the need for expensive add-ons.

The architectural proposal must take advantage of local natural resources such as solar and geothermal energy as well as wind. However, most importantly, the endeavor for energy conservation must instigate at a larger scale and affect urban planning as well as building clusters of blocks before we tackle the needs of the building in itself. Materials, transportation routes, orientation and spatial division are all aspects which shall aid a total energy concept.

Furthermore, it is important to appreciate Torre Baró’s informal architectural identity and respect the anthropological and cultural relations it entails. It is essential not to work under a tabula rasa mindset but rather prioritize in the improvement of existing developments since the most important available resource is the buildings that already exist in the settlement.

Therefore, the approach is not only about creating a building grammar that is energy conserving for future constructions, but rather it is about designing conditions which respect local culture, materiality and building techniques and elevate living standards through the utilization of solar –and related- natural resources.

Figure 034 Opposite Page Torre Baró’s Identity Architectural Qualities Aggregate Terraced Typology Figure 035

Moving Towards Sustainabiltiy Scheme by Albert Righter & Tittmann Architects

Text

Theory based on Birkhauser Detail Edition: Solar Architecture

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TRANSPORTATION Integrating efficient alternative transportation systems into the urban fabric

TOPOGRAPHY UTILIZATION Productive landscapes to promote existing micro-climate Lobe-city model : E.g TĂźbingen, DE, Houten, NL

RESOURCE CONSERVATION Priority to preservation and refurbishment of existing building fabric Conservation and refurbishment of existing fabric

Over new developments Lobe-city model Applied to Torre Baro future urban development

COMMUNAL OPEN SPACE Spatial organization promoting social cohesion

TYPOLOGIES Grouped/attached terraced housing development preferred over single-family housing

[agricultural garden, shared courtyard, transitional space]

INNER STREETS Promoting tertiary connections andalternative access to housing [paths or staircases] street 1

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secondary access

Axonometry

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sh- shared facilities

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unit/house access public path/staircasse 1-8 living units

THE INFORMAL BARCELONA maria-christina pantazopoulos

Building Grammar Scale: Urban Planning RENEWABLE ENERGY Utilization of biomass, rainwater and geothermal energy resources

LOCAL MATERIALS Favourising the use of brick, clay and natural stone

LOCATION & MICROCLIMATE Climatic influence on Building Form and Orientation

Rainwater Park | Ecosistema Urbano | 2008-2009

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UTILIZING THE SLOPE Embedding buildings into the ground diminish heat loss

Building Grammar Scale: Typology EXISTING TYPOLOGY CONSERVATION preserve the settlement’s identity and promote a sharing culture through aggregation (shared wall, storage, laundry room etc)

REGULATED HEIGHTS Respecting neighbouring buildings and shadow reach

FUNCTIONAL MIX Combining local commerce and facilities with residences [no less than 65%-70% residential]

BUILT TO OPEN SPACE RATIO 65% built but minimum 50m2 open space

OPEN AND PLANTED SPACE Trees and hedges ratio to open space [no less than 10% planted]

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BUILDING PLACEMENT Allign buildings in respect to street and side vicinity

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OPENINGS Glazing to wall ratio maximum 45%.

Consider dimension, arrangement and orientation

Building Grammar Scale: Building PASSIVE USE Sun focused orientation, incrementation, geometry, form and materials

VEGETATION Trees and hedges proving shade and diminish heat loss

A/V RATIO Low A/V for a building and thus compact structures save costs and reduces energy loss [A:heat radiating surfaces, V: Volume]

GSPublisherEngine 0.2.100.100

GLAZED BUFFER ZONE Unheated, uprogrammed open or covered structure utilized for natural night cooling or intermadiate temperature zone

SOLAR BUILDING ZONING

DAYLIGHT

[room quality requirements vary according to site]

[Use of skylights, lightshafts or atriums]

Building division according to use.

Linear zoning accummulating spaces of high demand towards South, low demand positioned North and an intermediate medium zone.

Always manage using: Shutters for indirect daylight.

Atrium for reflected daylight.

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The Roman House

The traditional Roman house becomes a point of reference due to its fundamental organization around an inner courtyard as well as its combining anf efficient functionality combining production and living. The spatial zoning is also of great importance achieving the coexistance of peasants and the family, formal and informal facilities and always considering the family’s privacy by keeping the main house away from the street.

Such planning can help us during the densification of Torre Baró, introducing a framework which will trigger the productive/leisurely communal green courtyards, achieving social cohesion whilst always accounting for each family’s required privacy.

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Urbanistic Map: Proposed Zoning

Incoorporating the Building Grammar introduced previously with the case studies which theoretically develop Figure 036 around communal semi-public courtyards, we develop a conceptual scenario around three areas which Urbanistic Map based on the combine mobility intersections, dense existing urban fabric and preserved green lobes. Within these three proposed Green Gradient and Mobility re-connection areas we suggest potential development within allocated plot which promote sharing main walls, communal courtyards, commercial development according to the points of mobility intersection and promotion of tertiary connections. The blck buildings suggest possible developments using the case studies investigated opposite.

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Halen by Atelier 5 Bern, Switzerland, 1961 Type: 3 stories row housing on slope Units: 79 Area per user: 32.5-36.5m2 Building depth: 12-13.5m Structure: concrete, masonry Exterior Finish: Concrete, Plaster, Timber Windows

Hanel is a housing prototype achieving high density through low-rise buildings. The main similarity of Torre Barรณ to this case study is the typology of teracced housing on a South-facing slope resembling the contaxt and predominant landscape of Torre Barรณ. The sections of the houses are derived from the sloping landscape and essentially comprise of three volumes/terraces stretched along the slope allowing for balconies and small gardens with ideal orientation. The project functions as a rural development promoting a community and working wtth the landscape but at the same time eembracing urban qualities such as a central public square Figure 037 Drawings and Images taken qround which facilities are located. The structure consists of parallel bearing walls using concrete blocks for from 2011 Birkhauser the structural walls, and Durisol insulated blocks for the exterior walls which is a combination of wood fibre Floorplan Manual Housing and concrete. The main living space is accessed at street level, the middle terrace holds the bedrooms and Text bathroums and the lowest volume consists of a multi-purpose space that can work as extra bedrooms or a Based on workspace etc. This exemplary housing prototype is evidence that a predominant slope can become a tool housingprototypes.org during design process allowing for teracces and communal spaces as discussed during the green gradient http://www.housingprototypes.org/ analysis but also and most importantly achieving high densities. project?File_No=CH008

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Quinta Monroy by Elemental Inquique, Chile, 2004 Type: row housing based on expansion by users Units: 93 Area per user: 11-18.5m2 Building depth: 6m Structure: Concrete and Cement Brick

In quest for an efficient social housing solution to accommodate the 100 families illegally inhabitating the plot, the architects resolve the demanding density with a public budget of 7500 USD per dwelling (usually in the Chilean context allowing for a building of 30m²) introduce row housing. However, the main focal point of the proposal was to allow for flexibilty and expansion to satisfy the inhabitants’ future needs. Through a set of design conditions Elemental aim to create social housing units whose value increase through time contradicting conventional social housing where value decreases every day. Primarily, due to its central location it was necessary to achieve a high density to buy the plot and thus maintain property value since location is usually key. Furthermore, they have developed a design solution which can accommodate the Figure 038 needs of the family’s expansion by designing 50% of the unit and allowing for an equal self-built construction. Drawings and Images taken The structure of the original unit provides a supporting framework which can withstand poor conditions of from 2011 Birkhauser future construction. Tackling limited budget they built the essential 50% of a larger house rather than a 30m² Floorplan Manual Housing restricted dwelling. Collecitve spaces form for a combination of 20 families promoting social interaction. Such Text on archdaily.com an example provides innovative and eficient solutions to a lacking budget without restricting potential. The Based http://www.archdaily.com/10775/ mindset and approach can be adapted to Torre Baró designing conditions which allow for appropriation and quinta-monroy-elemental/ promote the self-construction identity of the settlement.

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“ Cities are not only architecture, but especially urban life. This means not just the physical entities of architecture, but also encounters with friends and also the subtle and informal part: bulk of relationships that exists in urban space are among strangers and have informal status.”

(Jon Gehl, 1971).

“Sufficient density, an appropriate mix of land uses, a street structure of remarkable accessibility, [...] all of them and together, are essential to, through the use of public space, getting neighborhoods and cities with a high degree of interaction ...and, therefore, less dependence on cars.”

(The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs, 1959)

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Urbanistic Map: Urban Strategy

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Figure 039

Urban Strategy Map considering Green Gradient, Mobility and future Densification

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Urban Strategy

proposed Eletric-bike docks Collective transport routes / stations High-density trees/ forest

Metro -Stations Proposed pedestrian connections Informal paths Plot size Proposed building Buildable area

Mixed-use unit Existing fabric Garden/ collective area productive landscape

Figure 040

Axonometric Drawing Urban Strategy

Aquaduct pedestrian connection

Productive landscapes

Shared courtyards | Terraces

Mixed - use | Typologies

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Torre Baró ~ Reconfigured Conclusions of the Urban Strategy

Following the urban analysis and strategy proposal we have come to the point where the ineviteble is asked: Should we intervene? The answer is yes. The living standards of the settlement are entirely contradictory to the image of a metropolis such as Barcelona and the suffering and exclusion of Torre Baró and similar neighbourhoods must come to an end.

Through the urban masterplan we have concluded on several layers of intervention to achieve the settlement’s total reconfiguration. In terms of sustainability we attempt to tackle the four pillars it consists of. Firstly, the Environmental pillar is tackled through the fundamental principles of a lobe city model. Densification is necessary but limited to specific built areas which are mostly located at the existing urban fabric. In compensation however, areas of green penetrate the settlement deep into the dense zones via the instagation of green gradients penetrating the settlement in the form of lobes. Within these green zones low-dynamic activities for leisure or commerce are promoted thus shifting the focus away from the Collserola Natural Reserve and creating a protective buffer zone around it. The Social pillar is tackled through the re-activation of the valley as a communal urban farm which compensates the lost productive spaces in the now densified zones. Permission to work parts of the valley is granted by the private reformation and maintanace of each space as individuals.

This strategy promotes social cohesion, gives purpose to the currently void landscapes within the settlement and reforms the valley without burdening public budget and whilst respeting the infrormal character of Torre Baró. The Economic pillar is relevant at the points of intersection occuring as a result of the new imposed mobility network of both formal and informal connectivity. At these junctions, local and small scale commercial activities can flourish to accommodate the increasing amounts of locals and Collserola visitors. The final pillar of sustainability refers to the Cultural aspect of the project. The decisions undertaken during the urban strategy have been with great sensitivity to the existing materiality, typology and cultural patterns evident in Torre Baró. Local materials are promoted and the concept of self-construction is enhanced through flexible building grammar with which locals can creatively suit their needs while guaranteeing an improved living standard. The mobility layer has greatly highlighted the human scale in the settlement by recognizing and including in the scheme all networks of informal interconnectivity which efficiently create proximity in a very mountainous area.

An aspect which is of extreme importance in Torre Baró and was the most shocking to realize is the entirely lacking public realm. There are very limited facilities existing in the settlement with the main on being the existing church which only functions for a few hours on Thursdays and Sundays during mass.

The masterplan’s re-activation of the valley as communal productive green inevitably promotes public life and social cohesion. Thus, the most suitable primary intervention for Torre Baró would be a space which will connect the re-activated valley with the existing community and built environment. A place, where Torre Baró can gather and activities can take place. A Community Centre.

A Community Centre that will aim for the physical connection of Torre Baró and the Valley as well as the mental connector which will aim at community strengthening. A Community Centre as a mediator, as a threshold rather than an object. A hybridity between architecture and landscape.

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In Search of Personal Principles

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Hybridity of Landscape & Architecture

The Building as a connector: physical and mental

A Community Centre that will aim for the physical connection of Torre BarĂł and the Valley as well as the mental connector which will aim at community strengthening. A Community Centre as a mediator, as a threshold rather than an object. A hybridity between architecture and landscape.

This hybridity can be approached in two contradicting ways; as a poetic fluidity through the landscape or as an architectonic crudeness which fulfills the function of a connector. This hybridity refers to an architectural promenade, a journey through an edifice with certain points or axis of interest, much like an itinerary. Can then a building be tactile, almost crude in its straightforwardness as a structure yet fluid in its use? Both beauty and the beast? Greatly influenced by Lacaton and Vassal’s School of Architecture the project comes to question what a community centre should be or what a public intervention should appraise. Recogizing the failed investment at the bottom of the settlement it is fundamental to keep this project real and close to the locality. A humble monster. An infrastructure of brave scale which is purely a result of accommodation of its surrounding context.

Torre BarĂł is a settlement which is constantly changing. Ever-evolving and growing in an aggregate manner whether formally or informally adapting to the changing needs of its inhabitants. A community centre as such, must be able to accommodate the unpredicted future use without restricting or confing the users. The building in itself is a work in progress, an uprogrammed infrastructure which comes to life through its occupation. The two aspect of the structure conclude into a sustainable concept primarily though its ability to adapt to change thus lengthening its lifetime. The formal structure is considered to have the largest lifespan or in other words is the most permanent element of the proposal functioning as platforms or infrastructure upon which the informal can flourish. The second skin is understood as the multifunctional envelope which creates bioclimatic buffer zones for the realization of maximum provision of usable space as Lacaton and Vassal implement it. Lastly, the high comfort zones are the insulated spaces which are sheltered by the formal structure and thus protected by the primary environmental elements. Employing this gradient in structure, use and comfort allows for a truly flexible and community strengthening public structure providing endless possibilities of use.

A hybridity between landscape and architecture is a poetic gesture but may be realized with architectonic pragmatism. The fluidity of the landscape can be understood as points of connection between the building and the topography rather than in the fluidity of form. Public accessibility by changing the persisting slope affects the public realm and the accessibility of the valley, where the continuous ramp, much like in the School of Architecture in Nantes becomes a street in the sky introducing a certain dynamic into the building fabric.

Can a community centre or infrastructure take into account the need for informal domestic expansions? Can there be a structure which changes the landscape whilst providing conditions upon which a community can flourish? Can we reconnect a community by ressurecting the Valley?

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Architectural Promenade

The notion of ‘promenade architecturale’ as an experience of passing through an edifice was introduced by Le Corbusier in an attempt to describe the Maisons La Roche-Jeanneret and the Villa Savoye both built during the 1920s.

Quoting Le Corbusier, ‘You follow an itinerary and the perspectives develop with great variety’, describing the Maison La Roche-Jeanneret where the building unfolds as you experience this preconditioned journey.

Quotation 1 Essentially the architectural promenade is the journey the building sets out for the user starting from the Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, Oeutre Complete, 1910-1929, pp60 point of entrance and gradually unveiling the intimacy of the building’s architecture. Le Corbusier segragates Quotation 2 the poetry of his intended powerful spatial encounter from the fundamental elements making the promenade Le Corbusier, Towards a New Archiachievable such as the ramp. It seems that in his two houses, Le Corbusier uses the ramp as the main tool tecture, Prager Publishers, New York, 1960,pp173 that allows for the experience, yet the entire design focuses on this circulation creating strategic views for the user’s journey.

Figure 041

Villa Savoye November 2010 Photograph taken during a personal visit

‘An axis is perhaps the first human manifestation; it is the means of every human act. [...] Arrangement is the grading of axes, and so it is the grading of aims, the classification of intentions. [...] The Architect therefore assigns destinations to his axes. These ends are the wall or light and space.’

The axes therefore, serve as a set of destinations within the building and the journey to them is treated by Le Corbusier almost like an event, a ritual. Adopting a similar mindset could allow for the building to function as a connector or a landscape guiding the users down to the valley of Torre Baró. The axes or “destinations” could refer to real meeting points such as various facilities accommodated in the Community Centre but may also refer to strategic points through the building which could endeavour for instance the interaction between the pre-existing building with its semi-public courtyard and the new users of the community centre. Snippets of the Valley through this journey in a similar way to the penetrated walls on the roof of Villa Sovoye allowing for views of the garden, could also form axes and finally revealing parts of the building structure could deromanticize the concet of the journey into a real and tactile community centre which aims to reconnect the community to the valley.

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A Continuous Circuit

The Kunsthal is a museum/cultural centre in Rotterdam by OMA. Rem Koolhaas has responded to the brief for Figure 042 three large exhibition halls, two galleries and an auditorium by treating the building as ‘a continuous circuit’1. Right Kunsthal Staircase linking Initially the building functions as a mediator amongst two intersections conecting itself to the surrounding city. two exhibition spaces These intersections emphasizes the architect’s aim to employ isolated spaces which seem unified. This is 043 achieved throughvx the methodology of volumetric design reading the building as a ‘cohesive system through Figure Left the spatial juxtapositions and orientation of each space’2.

Kunsthal Entrance through Ramp Underneath Building

Designing isolated volumes with divided functions, the architect creates ‘a continuous spiralling circuit’3 , Quotation 1 website: http://www.oma.eu/ inspired by Le Corbusier, through the utilization of tools such as ramps and stairs aiming for the creation of a OMA projects/1992/kunsthal/ different axis, or experience in each of the “destinations”.

Quotation 2

The fluid system and intersections formulating in the building’s itinerary ‘provide new spatial conditions for programmatic placement, visual connections, and entry.’4

Architecture Daily: http://www. archdaily.com/102825/ad-classicskunsthal-oma/

Quotation 3

OMA website: http://www.oma.eu/

It is apparent that the building functions as a museum or culture hall responding to any exhibition or installation projects/1992/kunsthal/ that may occur. The programme of the Kunsthal seems to be secondary, primarily focusing on the provision of Quotation 4 Daily: http://www. an infrastructure within or upon which activities can happen. Juxtaposing spaces create varying atmospheres Architecture archdaily.com/102825/ad-classicsand the structure is not merely a passive element in the background but establishes a role in the building’s kunsthal-oma/ itnerary.

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A Circus on the Roof

The Nantes School of Architecture by Lacaton and Vassal built in 2009 is another great and inspiring example of the principle of architecture functioning as an infrastructure with unprogrammed potential. In a similar manner and influenced by Le Corbusier and Rem Koolhaas, Lacaton and Vassal’s building revolves around an uninterrupted circulatory system, and in this case in particular around a continuous ramp linking the three photos from related article by main floors and the roof. The result of a street crossing the building, emphasizes the architects’ regard towards archdaily.com architecture as a platform, an infrastructure upon which things can happen. Lacaton and Vassal never view Quotation 1 architecture from the point of view of aesthetics; form is ‘a final aggregate condition of an architectural analysis Ilka & Andreas Ruby, 2G Libros Lacaton & Vassal Recent Work n.21, pp9 of a particular situation. Form is something that occurs’1, focusing their efforts on their conviction of maximum Quotation 2 space for a minimum budget.

Ilka & Andreas Ruby, 2G Libros Lacaton & Vassal Recent Work n.21, pp10 What makes the School of Architecture an extremely intelligent approach is the use of multistory car park construction. Such a structure allows for massive loads including trucks to access the roofs, allowing functioning no common school building can accommodate. High ceilings of 9, 7 and 6 meters respectively as well as the utilization of the remaining budget to form an uninsulated, unprogrammed ‘double space’ on the building’s perimeter allow for enourmous potential of unplanned and uprogrammed activities.

Lacaton and Vassal aim for a building that opens up an opportunity for a potential that is unforseeable and cannot be planned. Frequently it is a space without a program but with innate possibilities that are almost always first exploited by the residents in the course of living in it.

Figure 044

Nantes School of Architecture by Lacaton & Vassal photo of continuous ramp and long section

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An Architectural Topography

While in search of personal principles, it is vital to consider case studies of both extremes. The examples of Figure 045 the Kunsthal and the Nantes School of Architecture reveal a tectonic and straight-forward approach to the FOA Yokohama Terminal view & circulation hybridity of architecture and landscape as well as the notion of an architectural promenade. They approach the aerial photos from related article by archdaily.com topic with great pragmatism perceiving architecture as an infrastructure rather than poetry. In great contrast, the architectural ambitions of the 90s with a representative example of Foreign Office Architects’ Yokohama Quotation 1 on FOA, Yokohama International International Passenger Terminal conceive this hybridity in a very different manner. The concept of liquidation of Article Passanger Terminal by archdaily.com accessed 02/05/2015 Architecture where everything is understood as a flow is prominently evident in FOA’s design. The circulation is 1 tackled as a continuous loop ‘rejecting any notion of linearity and directionality’ . The entire form of the building Quotation 2 is a poetic realization of the concept of hybridity between a landscape and architecture. The fundamental Ibid difference in comparison to the previous case studies lies in the conceptual approach. This project is an accumulation of high technological advancements and innovative techniques to achieve a superficial emergent typology invented by the architects. It consists of a complicated series of curves and bends which wrinkle into ‘an architectural topography’2. On the contrary, the previous case studies use conventional techniques to enhance the humbleness and tactility of the projects promoting the conception of architecture as an infrastructure upon which things happen. Avoiding the superficiality of the FOA also achieves a more budgetefficient proposal. In the case of Torre Baró, it is essential for the hybridity between the proposal and the landscape to remain real refraining from complicated construction techniques in an attempt to respect and enhance the settlement’s local identity and informal character.

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Figure 046

Latapie House Bordeaux, France,1993

Lacaton and Vassal’s simplicity and efficiency in approaching design is an extreme point of interest combining user comfort, space maximization and architecture with minimum cost. It is undoubtable that in a situation such as the poor self-constructed settlement of Torre Baró such a mindset will be a tool. Another aspect which is admirable in Lacaton and Vassal’s architecture is their appreciation and sensitivity towards the existing.

Whether that is existing vegetation, buildings or use they always attempt to utilize the inherited site and the ‘precious things in it’1.

Quotation 1

El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 23

Quotation 2

El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 7

Quotation 3 Ibid

Quotation 4

El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 9

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Double Space Their first project which questioned all standards of housing whose size they found inadequate and constraining was the Latapie House. For the design of this project they were ‘speaking about architecture alongside the farmers’2, employing the system of greenhouses in a challenge to differ from the conventional strategy and improving through a large expansion which in the final result achieved a space two times the original parameters.

The greenhouse creates a buffer zone or privacy gradient within the dwelling as well as a way to temper local environmental conditions. As the architects discuss, their interest in greenhouses was strengthened during Vassal’s time in Africa where he found that the strategy of the greenhouse was present although varied in terms of approach using branches and opaque nets since the main protection they needed was shade. In essence, they find the greenhouse to be a protective space as well as an expansion which allows for unpredicted occupation. The house is no longer ‘limited by its walls and facades, but it gained an extra space with much better climatic conditions’3.

‘Like what you wear on your shoulders to protect yourself against the rain and cold [...]

The house becomes a large cloth that protects you and adapts to the seasons, your mood, what you want to do, if you want to see your neighbours’4 The notion of “Double Space” is a concept of great interest since only through its volume it accomplishes an utter transformation and improvement of the original situation. In the Latapie House for instance, the original commission was for a catalogue house of approximately 75m² and the final dwelling finally provided 180m².

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Lacaton & Vasssal: A Mindset, An Inspiration Cost & Complexity The Master Dissertation project is an interesting challenge for any studio. However, the main principle that differentiates The Informal Barcelona and the Reconfiguration of Torre Baró from the rest is the reality of the situation. It is the need for real, tactile, considerate solutions which primarily regard the lack of public budget.

Lacaton and Vassal provide an outlook upon the correlation of cost and the complexity it congregates. In their words, ‘the economy should not be a restriction but rather a tool that permits freedom of space’1, provoking us to view the existing conditions with optimism and consider problems as potential. Referring once again to his experience in Africa, Vassal explains the ingenuity in the use of materials and the informality of solutions to problems with the outmost efficiency which ‘bring you back to the essentials’2. Thus, coming back to Europe, instead of designing an economical house through referencing architectural journals they prompted for cheap building materials and new ways with which they could use them.

The Notion Of Inhabiting It is the point where architecture is more about the creation of space with an aim of ‘producing situations’3 rather than formally or conventionally restricting spatial design. Instead, focusing on caring for the existing since they feel ‘there is always something in them you can use for the project; a tool, a chance, an opportunity’4.

The notion of inhabiting as understood by the architects Lacaton and Vassal is to design a project expecting and encouraging the future occupant to experience and appropriate the space playing with the qualities and parameters provided by the architects. ‘It is about imagining different experiences closely linked to the program, but also trying to develop and extend these possibilities’5. As discussed previously, it is about architecture in its pragmatic form, as an infrastructure which allows for things to happen. This mentality directs the design to begin from the inside and for the form to merely be a consequence of a series of fragments or micro-decisions 1 where ‘each of them creates links from one to the other, like a molecule of water that absorbs the next one’6. Quotation El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton This fragmented approach is pulled together into the final output by assembling them through a progressive & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 11 process. Even when the architects work on projects of larger scale they seek for the ‘precision of small Quotation 2 Ibid fragments and never simpler’7, emphasizing the sensitivity accompanying their pragmatic decisions.

Quotation 3

Their ultimate aim is freedom of use where the space does not ‘impose a particular way of life’8. However, you do Ibid not have to predict all alternative uses for a space, on the contrary the space must in it its most simplified form Quotation 4 allow potential for appropriation. Though the thoughtful provision of attributes, conditions and spatial luxury Ibid you allow ‘maximum opportunities for everybody and the project will assume to be changed, transformed and Quotation 5 El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton re-appropriated’9. Luxury is a contradictory term that they define as: the freedom of occupation, potential for & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 25 opportunities and fewer restrictions.

Quotation 6 Ibid

‘We noticed the inhabitants innate ability to expand the possibilities potential of their spaces’10

Quotation 7 Ibid

Quotation 8

El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton

Going back to the Architecture School of Nantes it is refreshing to comprehend Lacaton and Vassal’s efforts to & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 11 weaken the impact of the formal spaces as described by the brief with intermediate zones which follow their Quotation 9 Ibid principles of occupational creativity and functional freedom.

Quotation 10

‘Instead of defining banal space, without any attributes, it is far more interesting to create situations; a range of them, with different depths, transparencies and relations with the outside, providing intermediate spaces and connections with other floors, with the ground and the sky.’11

El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 15

Quotation 11

El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton & Vassal, Madrid, 2015, pp 17

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The Structure of Intentions

Understanding the Site

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Area of Intervention

Figure 047

Location Significance and Role in Urban Strategy

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Figure 048

Image scanned from Book: ‘Joan, Busquets, Barcelona: the urban evolution of a compact city, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, 2005’ pp264

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The image above reveals the situation of the plot before the city’s intervention and reclaim of the land upon which the two agrregate typologies once stood. The illegal development of these dwellings was a result of the migratory waves, as the rest of Torre Baró, during the 1950s-1970s. The land is now defined in the city’s urbanistic map as a plot reserved for public action. Of the three, the only volume still standing is the one on the left or as shown in greater detail on the opposite page. The dwelling consists of an aggregate accommodation of a total of 6 families. The informal construction and building solutions is a great example of the settlement’s urban fabric.

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Understanding the Area of Intevention

The site selection was a decision based upon the urban strategy. The general ambition of the project is the concentration of the main principle investigated in the urban strategy translated into architectural decisions.

The site’s significance lies in its location. The site is parallel to the aquaduct and in proximity to a major mobility 049 intersection. Thus, it is a great opportunity for the project to deal with the connection of the settlement to the Figure Image provided by valley as well as to deal with the blossoming intersections. Furthermore, the plot is municipal property aimed dissertation promotor for public action. It is thus the ideal opportunity for a public function with an ambition to strengthen community Claudi Aguiló bonding and act as an engine to improve living conditions in Torre Baró.

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Through the photographic evidence we are able to understand the existing situation of the site and its surroundings, the existing scale and the plot’s confinement between the two massive and monumental objects.

The aqueduct forms a threshold, an entrance to the resurrected valley as well as to the Collserola Mountain. A monument that is re-activated into a major connecting element, reviving urban life and the relationship of the settlement with the valley as a whole.

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Photographic Evidence

Figure 050

The existing building is a monumental object depicting Torre Baró’s self-constructed, informal identity. It is important to appreciate the scale prevailing on site. The situation proves to be extremely challenging. The plot in between the two major components is a void in friction, an element in a state of ambivalence and doubt. It creates a buffer between the two objects as well as an interdepending coexistence.

Images are a combination of google street view and photographs taken during site visit, November 2014

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Site’s Relation to the Urbanity

The Situation Plan reveals the complex relationship forming between the site and the proposed transformation according to the urban strategy. We understand the site’s importance in Torre Baró’s re-connection, being located in one of the settlement’s most important mobility intersections. The site combines a junction between Figure 051 a primary street accommodating public transportation, a secondary –car accessible- street, as well as a bus Situation Plan, Original Scale 1:500 stop and electric bicycle dock in great proximity. Furthermore, the site acts as a mediator between street level Depicting the site’s relation and the valley with an existing informal connection creating a shortcut through the plot. The aqueduct stands to the proposed urban as a monument, as a threshold to enter the valley as well as the settlement’s horizontal connector. It is a strategy connecting point for both visitors and locals providing huge potential for a future intervention.

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Site Metrics

Figure 052

Site surfaces Division as provided by the municipality plans

Figure 053

Plan demonstrating the persisting topography.

Total height difference between street and valley 24m

The top scheme reveals the pragmatic site information which consists of two plots both owned by the municipality and -as shown earlier in the existing urbanistic map- are reserved as land aimed for public action, thus making this the ideal location for a public program which benefit the community as a whole. The following image investigates the predominant landscape of the area with a total height difference from the valley to the street of 24m, thus a 65% slope.

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Site Plan

Figure 054

Site Plan in Collaboration with Claudia Carreras

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F

3

A1

90

90

87

84

25.2

81

75

66 65

52.5

121

37

A2

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Site Sections

A1 A2

F

Figure 055

Sections aim to demonstrate the gradual differentiation of the slope through the site

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Figure 056

Photograph of East existing staircase taken during site visit

Figure 057

Photograph of West existing staircase taken during site visit

Figure 058

Identifying the Structural System

Figure 059

The Building Volume and the teracce as a connection to the outside.

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The Existing Building

The Existing building follows the terraced building typology, where the building forms as a result of the topography. The structural system is based on two main parallel bearing walls located on the site limits. The distance between these two bearing walls is also the average length of a common beam allowing the users to self-construct their homes. The main material is brick, however, as a result of aggregation we notice a variable facade where each inhabitant Figure 060 has utilized different techniques and Understanding the building materials depending on his knowledge, fabric, Material Analysis. budget and access to materials. The Figure 061 building houses a total of 5 families and Post Boxes revealing the number of homes accomis accessible from both East and West modated in the building sides of the plot. The existing edifice Figures stands as a vast object summarizing All Research conducted by Torre Baró’s architectural identity. It’s Group 2 under their themetia monster, beautiful in its uniqueness. cal investigation on tectonics

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Inspired by the methodology of Lacaton and Vassal and what they call ‘precious elements’ of a site, the above schemes aim to recognize the fundamentals of the site. These precious elements reveal challenges and potential for future intervention, such as the relation between the site and the existing building’s informal Figure 062 expansion. Through the dissection of the site’s elements we gain a deeper understanding of the site as well Images dissecting the essential elements as a hierarchy between these conditions. The hierarchy refers to the predominance of certain elements for constituting the site instance the aqueduct to less persevering elements such as the minimal vegetation existing on the site.

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Site Challenges as Potential

The site is an accumulation of challenges. The extremity of the slope, the confinement between two vast monumental object and the informal, sensitive layer of the existing use make this a particularly interesting yet difficult area of intervention. The scale given to the site by the two barriers imply a need for a radical intervention. The site is not appropriate for a sensible and minimal public space. The intervetion must Figure 063 respond to the radicality of the present Images summarizing the conditions and enable the informality of site’s challenging conditions the settlement to blossom.

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Through the diagram above, we recognize the dwelling’s density, accommodating 5 families, as well as the circulation of the inhabitants. The building is accessible from both sides of the building, with the informal access being on the side of the plot we are investigating (East Staircase)

Figure 064

Schemes analysing the existing building’s circulation

The next step was to carefully observe the use of the existing building as well as the informal expansion towards Figure 065 Schemes analysing the the plot. It is evident through the diagram above, that the teracces accommodate the needs of the inhabitants existing building’s use and for additional surface mainly using it for laundry and storage. On the contrary, the informal expansion has a informal expansion towards more social character due to its semi-public nature. We notice the sitting area with the BBQ which could imply the plot the building’s -and the settlement’s- need for a gathering space.

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Defining the program

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Figure 066

Diagram investigating potential programs in relation to the urban strategy

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Figure 067

Refining the program Defining its stance and intention

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Due to the location and the existing conditions explored at the site, the location’s function as a connector is unquestionable. It is a connector between the settlement and the newly ressurected valley. The Valley compensates for the densified green by transforming into a communal productive landscape and the site Figure 068 Program Scheme: The Site changes the section of the mountain becoming the physical connector between the major mobility intersection as a Physical Connector and the beginning of the valley.

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A Connector: Physical & Mental

In a similar mindset, the site is reserved for public action thus, the site’s role as a community connector is clear. The site becomes the gathering place of the settlement linking the valley to their daily activities. An Figure 069 infrastructure which can accommodate and promote community activities as well as informal expansion of the Program Scheme: The Site existing building. The proposal acts as an infrastructure and a public space varying between open and closed. as a Mental Connector A multifunctional engine which allows for things to happen.

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Maximum Space

Figure 070

Figure based on theory of maximum space

by Lacaton & Vassal

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Understanding the existing scale of the elements on site, it is important to recognize the capacity of the existing building as the set scale for occupancy. Applying the urbanistic rules conducted during the urban strategy, the ratio of build space consists of 65% of the plot. Thus, the concluding volume is euqivalent to 170% of the original building.

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Lacaton & Vasssal: An Inspiration Continued The main principle of the building concept is the design of a landscape infrastructure which will function as an engine for the community, accommodating their various changing needs. Greatly inspired by Lacaton and Vassal’s School of Architecture in Nantes, the proposal seeks to be an architectonic infrastructure, poetry-free in implementation. Crude in its tactility yet fluid in its use. An important factor to achieve this is the continuous ramp which acts as an architectural promenade. A non-interrupted journey through the building linking the street to the sky. Therefore, the building is undebatebly a structure which provides the prerequisites to promote informal activity whilst at the same time holding the school’s formal activities. Reading a related blog post about the building by a visitor I quote ‘I was part of non-ceremonial transitional area betweeen outside and inside, public and private, a common zone where students and teachers, administrators and passerby meet’1.

Furthermore, the user comments on the easiness of navigation through the structure and the feeling of familiarity and belonging as a result to the effortless orientation and simple connections to facilities. At this point it is logical to refer back to Le Corbusier’s architectural promenade and the design via axis or an itinerary of views and experiences. The Nantes School of Architecture despite its bulkiness it manages to simultaneously stand out of its surroundings while always relating to its context ‘making it look extraordinary and ordinary at the same time’2.

Lacaton and Vassal’s essential strategy ambtion to provide maximum space results in the building’s sustainable concept ecologically, socially and finacially. The intermediate double height zones protected through a multifunctional envelope allow for adaptable, flexible spaces fundamentally promoting the structure’s future repurpose and adaptation rather than demolishion. Their main tool is to not be too prescriptive. They design a structure which can withstand appropriation and engage with its users and their unpredictable future needs.

The main principle I wish to adopt from Lacaton and Vassal is their understanding of a building as something dynamic, non-static and above-all discarding the mindset of architecture as a finished art work and more as work in progress. Within the context of Torre Baró, a structure as such would be capable of accommodating the community’s needs and at the same time through its changeability make a contribution to sustainable construction.

The intermediate zones comply with high climatological standards providing a buffer zone for extreme heat or Quotation 1 cold maintaining a 10° temperature difference between external and internal conditions. For the biggest part of Blog: Out of Bologna www.e-flux.com/journal/out-of-bolothe year, the spaces achieve a comfortable standard in which temporary or permanent expansions can occur. gna accessed on 28/05/2015 The Box-in-a-Box concept is a very efficient technique within the settlement’s context since it can achieve Quotation 2 high standards simply since it is alredy protected -through the formal structure- from external environmental Ibid conditions.

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Box-in-a-Box

During our research week in Barcelona, we had the opportunity to visit the Polythechnic of Catalunya and their entry for the Solar Decathlon competition, project Low 3. This particular project, completely designed and built by a group of students is an exemplary solar house which utilizes the same concept of minimum budget as maximum space by Lacaton and Vassal. It is a house which can adapt and accommodate the flexible and changing social conditions of living. The main external shell is an off-the-shelf greenhouse structure which provides a cheap construction technique and a great protection from external condition. The high climatic conditions of the envelope, together with the utilization of the box-in-a-box concept achieve high user comfort Figure 071 in the insulated volumes and usable uninsulated spaces for agreat portion of the year due to this buffer zone.

Photographs taken during research week The living quality in this prototype is of a high level promoting user appropriation and additional volume for the November 2014 same budget that was provided by the competition.

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Following the theory based on Lacatton and Vassal as well as the Solar Decathlon Low3 concept, the above diagrams aim to investigate the environmental conditions of an insulated box within an uninsulated, multifunctional, bioclimatic envelope. Through the implementation of extensive openings in the polycarbonate Figure 072 facade, the space achieves sufficient natural ventilation. In the winter, the bioclimatic envelope captures solar Schemes investigating environmental conditions of gain, heating the intermediate space and thus creating a less hostile environement for the ‘box’ reducing the Box-in-a-box principle based need for mechanical heating. On the contrary in the summer, the facade opens extensively (more than 50% on Lacatton and Vassal’s open) and the structure functions as an overhang shading the ‘box’ and protecting it from overheating in School of Nantes Barcelona’s hot climate.

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A Self-Constructed Box

Appreciating the context of the project and Torre Baró’s poor economic state it seems far fetched to design the inner inulated boxes, since it seems much more apt to allow for the various possibilities self-construction could bring. Re-using material from renovated houses in the mindset of Torre Baró’s revival and improvement of living standards could allow for countless opportunities to recycle materials found at the settlement. However, the main principle of these boxes is provided as a guideline. Taking a closer look at the Low3 project, the proposal suggests simple timber structures with adequate insulation to provide high comfort. The small spans of the formal structure allows for conventional lightweight I joistst and a wooden structure from laminated timber as well as OSB cladding. The general concept for the materials is the ease of access and workability as well as the low cost. It is also important due to the boxes’ temporality, to be able to dissmantle and reuse the material for future adaptations. The simplicity of the box is a result of the formal structure acting as a shelter and protecting it from the external environmental conditions.

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Figure 074

Image demonstrating the limit-free construction methods.

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Skins

Figure 075

Schemes depicting the various zones created

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A gradient of comfort zones combined with a gradient of publicness and dynamic flows through the building allows for a greater efficiency in energy consumption and thus, improved living standards since the settlement is energy poor.

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Structural Strategy

Ramp System moderating the persisting slope

Platforms relating to existing topography: The Formal Structure

Platforms relating to existing use

Cohesive System of platforms accommodated by a continuous ramp

Gradient of Comforts Uninsulated structure, Intermediate zones with multifunctional envelope, self-constructed boxin-a-box for maximum comfort

Concrete Skeleton structure to implement the cohesive system

Expansion of Existing Use through relation to back-doors of existing building, appropriation, amultifunctional building

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The models attempt to test the proposal’s volume as well as structure in the context of the confinement between the two mass objects. The building, as a connector aims to provide links to its surroundings and to promote utilization from the largest portion if not the entire community. The landscape infrastructure becomes the mediator between the settlement and the valley allowing for related facilities such as small scale food production unit to blossom on its premises. Furthermore, by relating to the existing back doors of the building present on site, the structure promotes expansionof the building recognizing and enhancing the local cultural patterns. Further connection to the aquaduct and a green, natural path make the building a transitional, dynamic space linked to non-defined spaces rady to be appropriated.

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The situation plan above aims to demonstrate the ambitious connections the building creates. Gradually decaying the persisting slope from 65% to a continuous sloping ramp of 20% contributes to making the Figure 076 valley more accessible and enhances its new role as the settlement’s backbone. At the same time, linking the Situation Plan Scheme shortcut created by the ramp to a slower natural path created on the left of the aqueduct extends the building depicting the project ‘s ambiinto its surroundings. The aqueduct is now accessible from either the slow natural path or the building itself, a tous function as a connector contrast between hard and soft promenades.

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Compatible Platforms

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Relating to the existing building allows for the site’s existing users to expand their activities onto the structure.

Relating the dynamic transitional zone of the continuous ramp to the existing doors and platforms allows for a very intricate layer to form within the proposal where locals, commuters and the residents of the building Figure 077 co-exist utilizing the different degrees of privacy. Removing th existin staircase present on site allows for the Schemes demonstrating the building to serve as the mediator between the street, the valley and their house. However, the house maintains buildings compatibility with its main access on the other side of the building. Thus, the structure becomes the base for informal domestic the existing back-doors expansion of activities.

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Process Models, left volumetric attempt testing the platforms and the multifunctional facade in terms of context at scale 1:200. Above, structural model investigating skeleton structure with ramp system at scale 1:50.

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The Building

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The Platforms

B

B’ C

street level +90m

+84m

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D

D’

E

E’

A

A’

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+81m

+78m

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+75m

+72m

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+69m

+66m

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Changing The Section | A Landscaping Infrastructure | Section DD’

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Connecting to the Aqueduct

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Changing The Section | A Landscaping Infrastructure | Section AA’

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Connecting to the Existing Building

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Changing The Section | A Landscaping Infrastructure | Section BB’

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Approaching the Aqueduct

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Informal spaces evoking spontaneous activities

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Construction and Spatial Appropriation | Section EE’

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Energy Concept Summer

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Energy Concept Winter

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Front Elevation

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Model 1:100

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Epilogue

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Conclusion The Informal Barcelona Master Dissertation has been a great and challenging experience. As John Cavafy says in his poem Ithaca, it has been more about the journey of the project than the final outcome. It has been a long and vigorous research process beginning with the urban strategy and concluding with a condensed understanding of the main aspects into an architectonic proposal. The main issues in this project revolve arounf connectivity and the lacking public realm always in the general reality of an informal, poor and secluded Torre Baró. Critically looking at the structure of the course the time feels inadequate in comparison to the depth one must endow in this thesis due to its multifaceted extremeties. Reconfiguring Torre Barò has been an extreme challenge on many levels including the incredible slopes, monumental teracced typologies and informal character. There is an innate quality in this project that gives it a particular charm and identity which cannot compare to any other thesis in the program. All in all, it has been a great learning process questioning all our conventional approaches to design.

The urban strategy aimed for the reconfiguration of the settlement of Torre Baró. Understanding the settlement’s position in the urban mobility plan of Barcelona we realize that the disconnection of the settlement is within Torre Baró and not in relation to the city. The extreme slopes and lack of horizontal connections make the concept of time a dominating design factor in our strategy. Aiming to shorten the perception of Torre Baró we utilize the existing aqueducts which now stand frozen in time. This introduces a new horizontal connection through the settlement. Furthermore, we verify and promote the existing layer of informal paths and connections acting as shortcuts through the landscape directly accommodating the inhabitants’ needs. Lastly, a new sustainable mobility network of electric bicycles is introduced with a main ambition to diminish the slope and its impact.

Once the slope is no longer dominating, Torre Baró becomes radial, accessible and more humane.

On a second level, after reconsidering the city’s existing urbanistic map for the area we refine a proposal for densification in the alreasy built areas and an instigation of greenlobes penetrating the settlement’s urban fabric.

This creates a protective zone around the Collserola Mountain as well as supports the city’s plans for Torre baró to become on of the 16 Gates through its Valley. The Valley is ressurected, from mere void to a productive landscape and the settlement’s backbone. Through the ressurection of the Valley and the new mobility network proposed, commercial triggers form at points of intersection providing opportunity for employment, functional mix and revitalization of urban life.

The project itself adopts the 3 main ambitions of the strategy and condenses them into a single architectonic proposal. Located at possibly the most fundamental intersection of the masterplan the site is confined between the aqueduct and a large teracced house typology. The extreme scale present on site required radical solutions thus viewing the site as an opportunity for a public building, or rathera public structure, which could become a connector linking the settlement and the Valley. The building acts as a physical connector providing public accessibility through a continuous ramp changing the section and reducing the 65% slope to 20%. Moreover, the building aims to connect with the street, the aqueduct, a slow nature path as well as the existing building.

Thus, the proposal is more of a transitory space, a ramp system with platforms, an infrastructure upon which things can happen. Introducing a gradient in the dynamic activities through a bioclimatic multifunctional skin, creates unprogrammed double height spaces within which the box-in-a-box concept can be employed allowing for informal self-constructed boxes to be built directly satisfying the community’s demands. Relating to the existing building and its entrances adds an intricate layer to the design through the permission for expansion of domestic activities.

In Conclusion, despite the architectonic difficulties most people in the group experienced the thesis has shown potential for vigorous research projects with innovative improvemnts towards the reconfiguration of the settlement. All in all, the project has been a great challenge and an opportunity to test our strength and out sensibility as future architects.

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Bibliography Barcelona’s Urban Redevelopment Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barcelona in Progress, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barcelona, 2004.

Joan, Busquets, Barcelona: the urban evolutionof a compact city, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, 2005.

Terminology Definitions oxforddictionaries.com The Manhattan Transcripts bernardtschumi.com/projects/18/ accessed on 03/04/2015.

Theory on communal production and urban farming Miazzo, Franceska, We Own the City, trancity valiz, Netherlands, 2011.

On the work of Lacaton and Vassal Ilka&Andreas Ruby, Lacaton&Vassal, Recent Work. 2G, n.21 & 60 El Croquis Editorial 177/178, Lacaton&Vassal, Madrid, 2015.

Construction Zimmerman, Astrid, Constructing Architecture, Materials, techniques, structural components, Ed. Birkhauser.

Atelier Bow, Wow, Graphic Anatomy, Toto, 2008.

Ching, Francis, Building Construction Illustrated. John Wiley&Sons, US, 2008.

Ching, Francis, Building Structures Illustrated. John Wiley&Sons, US, 2009.

Sbhneider, Friederike, Floor Plan Manual, Ed. Birkhauser.

Urban Strategy Reclaim: remediate, reuse, recycle. A+T 39-40. 2012.

Strategy and Tactics in Public Space. A+T 38. 2011.

Jane Jacobs, The Life and Death of Great American Cities, Random House, New York, 1961.

General Theory and References: Le Corbusier, Towards a new architetcure. Prager Publishers, New York, 1960. www.archdaily.com/102825/ad-classics-kunsthal-oma/ www.oma.eu/projects1992/kunsthal http://www.archdaily.com/554132/ad-classics-yokohama-international-passenger-terminal-foreign-officewww.architects-foa/ www.archdaily.com/10775/quinta-monroy-elemental

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Thank You maria-christina pantazopoulos